VILLAS — A new Township Council was sworn in during its reorganization meeting Jan. 2, when Frank Sippel resumed his post as mayor, Kevin Coombs was named deputy mayor and Joseph Wareham was appointed to an open position.
Former deputy mayor David Perry attended his final meeting as a member of council on Dec. 18. He did not seek re-election.
“The New Jersey municipal vacancy law governs the process. In this case, Deputy Mayor, former council member Coombs, was appointed as an elected member of the Lower Township Regular Republican Party,” solicitor Robert Belasco said.
The Ward II council seat expires in December 2026, and Wareham will fill the term until the next general election in November.
“In light of the fact he was a nominee of the Republican Party and was elected as a member of the Republican Party when a vacancy occurs, the Lower Township Regular Republican Organization is given notice of that vacancy,” Belasco said. “Pursuant to the law they’re required to provide three names to council for consideration to fill that vacancy.”
Wareham will serve for the calendar year, and Belasco explained that he would have to run during the November general election to fill the unexpired term through 2026.
“If re-elected, they would have to run again to serve another regular full term,” Belasco added.
After being sworn in, Wareham thanked the council and the Lower Township GOP committee for supporting and endorsing him as a candidate.
“I appreciate the council deeply for giving me the opportunity and the vote of confidence in me to take this on,” Wareham said. “I’m in a very fortunate situation because this council is very experienced and has made many impactful changes to this community already. I’m looking forward to working collectively with them to continue to make Lower Township the best and the greatest place to live for future generations.”
The council presented a plaque to Perry to thank him for his many years of service.
“We asked him to come today to recognize all his work for the township,” Sippel said. “For most of his life, he was a volunteer firefighter for Townbank Fire District, he worked as a fire official for the township, and has spent 10 years on council, so that’s over 50 years of being a public servant.”
Perry served as a Ward II council member from January 2015 to February 2020 and as deputy mayor from February 2020 through December 2024.
“Dave, we can’t thank you enough, and thank you [to your wife] Janet, for providing all the support, without which he wouldn’t have been able to work as hard for the township,” Sippel said.
Cape May County Commissioners Leonard Desiderio, Andrew Bulakowski, Melanie Colette and Bobby Barr also presented Perry with a plaque to recognize his retirement and for being a “fierce and independent advocate and a voice for the people of Lower Township.”
“Dave, Mayor Sippel said it right. You always put Lower Township first, over and above everything else,” Bulakowski said. “I want to thank you and your family for allowing you to do so for all these years, and we want to wish you a happy and healthy retirement.”
Councilman Tom Conrad also spoke about Perry’s accomplishments, saying that he was needed on the council to move the township forward.
“Dave was a necessary breath of fresh air when he came on, and I’m sorry to see him go,” Conrad said. “I’ve known him for active fire service when I was EMS. We worked well together and we didn’t always agree, but we were civil and respectful, and we got along great because we could work things out. Dave, you were needed here more than you know.”
Conrad and Councilman Roland Roy welcomed Wareham and said they look forward to working with him.
“Happy new year, and congratulations and thanks to Dave Perry,” Coombs said. “I have some big shoes to fill and I’ll do my best. Congratulations to Joe Wareham.”
Sippel thanked the audience for attending the reorganization meeting and congratulated Wareham.
“I welcome our new councilman. Wareham has spent years as a volunteer on the Recreation Advisory Board and a member of the Lower Township GOP, and elected as a fire commissioner,” Sippel said. “Thank you for stepping up to serve. Public service is not easy, but it’s so important.”
Sippel reiterated his support for the council working together and making Lower Township a better place to live.
“At the same time, we swore in Deputy Mayor Kevin Coombs, when Deputy Mayor Perry decided not to run for re-election, Kevn did not hesitate to express his interest in the position,” Sippel said. “We were able to fill the position with an experienced councilman. With the addition of our newest councilman, and now new deputy mayor, there’s no doubt in my mind we will continue to work as a team.”
Sippel also thanked Lower Township Manager Mike Laffey, the Township Clerk’s Office and all the township employees.
“Last, I’d like to thank the residents who have placed us in office and trusted us over the years to do what’s right,” he said. “To be conservative to tax dollars, and always put the residents first.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/For the Star and Wave